Hardening apparatus for the thin steel articles.



W. E. NICKERSON. HARDENING APPARATUS POR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION PIL-BD PEBJS, 1906.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED 1113.16, 1906.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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W. E; NIeKBRsoN.

HARDENING APPARATUS FOR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

APPLIUATION FILED FEBJB, 1906.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 16, 1906.

' Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. E. NIGKERSON.

` HARDENING APPARATUS FOR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

pl l n APPLIGATION FILED PEBJG, 1906.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. E. NIGKERSON. HARDENING APPARATUS FUR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED I'EB.16, 1906. I I 9. I I Petentea Feb. 23, 1915.

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W. E. NIGKERSON. HARDENING APPARATUS FOR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION IIL'BI) FEB. 16, 1906.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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HABDENING APPARATUS FOR THIN STEEL ARTICLES.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED PEB. 16, 1906. o Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

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WILLIAM NIC-KERSON, 0F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

HARDENING APPARATUS FOR THIN STEEL ARTICLES. Y

` Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

Application led February 16, 1996. Serial No. 301,487.

T0 all 'whom it may concern Be it known that l, NVILLIAM E. NICKER- son, of the city of Cambridge, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hardening Apparatus for Thin vSteel'Articles and by Heating and Chilling, ctc., of which the following is a specifica.- tlcn.

My invention relates to devices for automatically heating and hardening steel, and is specially adapted for those operations -upon thin flexible razor-blades, such as the Gillette blades which are 'provided with positioning holes or perforations.

While the invention will be described as applied to the heating and hardening of steel of that form, it is-to be understood that with certain minor modifications the machine maybe used for like operations on other forms of steel or steel articles, and that some of its novel features are applicable for acting in other ways upon thin steel or other metal, such, for instance, as printing upon thin metallic articles.

' lt is ordinarily extremely diflicult to transfer very thin steel quickly enough from the heating place to the chilling means to avoid loss of heat in transit. especially at the edges, and any material loss of heat in transit vitiates the result of the'hardening.

My invention is designed tov overcome the difficulties mentibned and to produce an improved quality of hardening of the steel, or steel articles, to which vthe machine may be applied.

The main objects of the invention are to retain a proper supply of razor-Naties, or other forms of thin steel, and automatically transfer them v to means for heating and after being heated and while in a hot state to suitable means for chilling, such as coldclamps, or, ii'. desired, directly into a chilling liquid. f

Other special objects of the lmprovement in this particular application of it are to produce quick and uniform heating of thin steel, and a quick chilling of it, in order to secure uniform temper; and further, to provide means for protecting the steel against -the action of the air, and to avoid overheatafter described and pointed out or indicated in and by the claims.

1n the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the left side of the machine, or mechanism. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine, and Fig. 3 a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is a partial elevation on an'enlarged scale of the right side`of the machine with some parts broken, others removed, and others in section. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the front half of the machine. partly in side elevation, and partly in vertical section looking in the same direction as in Fig. 4, and shows the cold-clamps or chilling device and connections therewith Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged view,

not shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a side elevatien of a .blade carrying stack-plate with its latch mechanism locked, and Fig. 8 is a like View of the same, but showing the latch mechanism unlocked. Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan of the latch mechanism for the blade carryin` stack-plate shownin the two preceding Fgures, certain parts being removed as indicated by the line 9-9 in Fig. 7.V Fig. 10 is a rear elevation of thepblade carrying stack plate (parts being removed as indicated by the line 10-10 in Fig. 7) and shows means for releasing or unlocking the latch for the stack-plate. Fig. 11 is a much enlarged sectional elevation of the blade carrying-arm and'preliminary heating burner, which also appear in Figs. 3 and 5. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of a part of the blade carrying-arm taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11, and shows the suction terminal for contacting with the steel or blade, and Fig. 13 shows this suction terminal of u'the carrying-arm by much enlarged inverted plan view thereof. Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevation mostly in section of the suction carrying-arm swung so as to bring its outer terminus over a heating plate, but not dropped upon it, and Fig. 15 is a like view, with parts broken, of the suction carryingarrn in the same position as in Fig. 14, eX- cept that its outer terminus is lowered in position for placing the steel blade on a heating plate. Figs. 16 to 20 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing the positions of the principal parts of the device at various periods during the cycle of operations, whichpositions may be more conveniently part of this specification.

The construction of the ina-chine is such as to be readily separated into. groups of members, and hence the different groups will be designated by a letter, and the different members,.or parts, or related connections for each group, ywill be distinguished by the same letter with an appropriate cardinal number.

In the drawings A is the main supporting frame of the machine, A a shelf-like top plate projecting frontward from the frame, and A2 is a base plate upon which the' frame is securely fastened (Figs. l, 2 and 3). All

Aof the working 4parts of the machine take their impulse, directly or indirectly from a main power shaft B, journaled in the arms B1, B2, which are bolted to the sides of the main frame A. The power shaft B is rotated by the gear B3, the latter being driven by the pinion B4 and pulley B1", which turn upon the-stud B6, rigidly attached to the arm B. A loose pulley B also turns on the stud B, and the driving belt may be guided onto this loose pulley whenever it is desired to stop the operation of the machine (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4). i

The supply of steel in the forml of razorblades to be acted upon is arranged in stacks upon a stack-plate C,.and the stacks of steel are alined and steadied by pairs of verticalpins C, C', projecting from the stack-plate (Figs. 1 to 5 and'7 to l0 inclusive). AThe stack-plate isrotatably mounted upon the vertical shaft C2 and rests upon a friction 'washer C2, which is supported by the friction driving plate C4, the latter being rigidly mounted upon the vertical shaft C2. The

-f shaft C2 is journaled in the 'vertical sleeve C5, upon the top of which the driving-plate C1 finds vertical support, the sleeve i-tself being securely bracketed to the front of the top-plate A1 (Figs. 7 and 8).

The vertical shaft C2 is given continuous rotation in a ratio of one to three, with the main power shaft, by the bevel ear Cs and pinion C1, the former being rigid y mounted on said vertical shaft and the latter on a. horizontal 'shaft C2, journaled in a spur C9 of the sleeve-C5 and in the bracket C1o fixed to the front of the top-plate A1 (Figs 1,

2, 3 and 4). The horizontalshaft Cs is con tinuously driven in equal ratioby the main power shaft B, by means of the chain C11, the sprocket C12 on the shaftCs, and an equal sprocket on a hub C1'3 on the shaft B (see dotted lines in Fig. 1). The stack-plate C is therefore adapted to rotate in a ratio of one to three with the main power shaft B, one rotation of the latter taking place to 69 oexzomplete cycle of movements of the entire device, and would rotate continuously in that ratio but for certain intermissions I in its movement for the purpose of bringing the next successive stack of blades into position. This intermittent movementis reguof the plate, the friction driving plate C1 slipping underneath it. The latch is, however, momentarily released from the notches C11--C11 three times to each rotation of the driving-plate C1 (though only once to a rotation of the main power shaft B) by the threel downwardly projecting releasing bosses C18-C18 on the under side of the driving plate C.

Figs. 7 and l0 .show the latch in engagement, and Fig. 8 shows the latch thrown out of engagement by one of the releasing bosses C12. The disengagement of the latch by the passing boss is only momentary and the latch is ready to engage the next notch C11 bythe time the'latter has reached the latch. Iii this way the stack-plate is intermittently advanced one stack of blades at each cycle of movements of the device, the number of notches being equal to that of the blade stacks. The blades are lifted from the stacks on the plate C andtransferred to a heating plate by the movable suction carrying arm D, which is rigidly supported upon the upper end of the verticallv reciprocating and partially rotating rod D1, theV latter being slidably a-ndrotatably mounted inthe top plate A1 at D2 and at D3 in the fixed arm D1 which is securely bolted to the main frame A (Figs. 1-to 5 inclusiye).

The rod D1 is given its vertically reciprocating motion, as well as that of partial rotation, by a novel combination of cams, levers, pull rods and arms which will now be described in detail. On the rod D1 is rigidly mounted a hub D1 having opposite horizontally projecting arms D and D1. The arms are provided with a hub Ds and l)n ,respectively, the latter having horizontal sleeves D13 and D11 through which ythe inclined pull rods D1*1 and D1 pass looselV, having the threaded clamp nuts D17 and D18, respectively, which prevent them from being drawn out of the sleeves fartherthan desired. The pull rods D111 and D1 are respectively connected by the universal joints D19 and D2 with the levers D21 and D22 which are pivoted to the main frame at D2a (Figs. 1 and 2) and- D24 (Figs. 2 and 4) and are provided with the rollers D2 and D2 which bear on the cams D27 and D28 (Fig. 2), the latter being keyed upon the main power shaft B. By this arrangement the rod D1 is vertically supported by the levers rods will hold the parts by which they'are connected with rod D1 square to the front,

Yso to speak, and these parts and the pull rods and levers will be in the position show n in the enlarged side' elevation represented 1n Fig. If, on the contrary, the lever D21 is lower than the lever D22 the rod D1 will be lowered somewhat and partly rotated and the parts will be in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. )Vhen the -lever D22 is lowered from the position shown in Fig. 4, the lever D21 remaining as shown, then the rod D1 will again be lowered but rotated in a reverse direction from `that shown in Fig. 1. Hence, by raising or lowering the levers D21 and D22 simultaneously, reversely, or separately, any desired elevation or partial rotation of the rod D1 may be produced within the limits of movement of the mechanism, for the purpose of causing the. arm D to move freely from the stack-plate to a preliminary heating plate and to the final heating plate and back again. Of further assistance in regulating the movements of the rod D1, and, thereby, of the suction carrying arm D. are certain guide posts, of which D29 and D1 serve td exactly locate the arm D when it drops upon the stack plate C and D31 and D32 which perform a'l like function when the arm D places a blade upon a heating plate (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 14 and 15). The guide posts D22 and D31 and D21 and D32 project vertically from and are integral with the pedestals D33 and D31, respectively, the former serving to support the stack plate latch C14, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8,

and the latter for a mounting for some parts to be described. The pedestals are bolted to the upper surface of the top plate A1 as shown in Fig. 5. When the arm D swings over the stack plate C it first strikes against the long guide post D29 and then drops between it and the short post D30 being thus exactly located. In swinging in the opposite direction to place a blade on a heating plate it is similarly guided and located by the posts D21 and D32. lt is, of course, understood that the cams D27 and D23 are s0 fashioned as to give the required movements to the respective levers and pull rods and, hence, to the rod D1 and arm D. The arm D doesnot move exactly horizontally when it swings from the stack plate C to a heating plate and back. but describes a curve, being highest when midway of the swinging move ment, at which point it pauses for some time after swinging away from the stack plate, for the preliminary heating of a blade. In practice the cams are shaped to throw the arm D a little farther' than is required to simplv reach the long guiding posts, the difference being taken up by the inclinedv pun ma D1J or Dw slipping am.

ward through the sleeve D1 or D, respectively. This is done to make sure that the in each case. `rThe pull rods D15 and D1 have independent movements and are inclined toward each other at their upper ends and also have an inclination toward the front. The upper ends move in vertical plane and describe an inclined arc, while the lower ends have a combined vertical and lateralor swinging movement about the axis of the rod D1 thereby giving to that rod a combined vertical and rotary movement.

The construction of the suction carrying arm D is shown in the sectionalv views of 4Figs. 11 to 15. The arm D has a downwardly projecting outer part, the lower end or terminus D35 which is broadened laterally and serves as a surface against which to suck j f the blade in order to lift and transport it. The suction is produced by any suitable arm D actually reaches the long guide posts pump or blower not a part of my device, but

connected with the arm D by means of the flexible tube D3G and pipe D27, the latter being screwed at its upper end into the arm D where it connects with passageway D38 from which the branches D32, D39 run down to the face or terminus D25, which is provided with recesses, as D40 (Fig. 13) whereby the extent of surface of the blade to be lifted which is exposed to suction is increased. vIt is also provided along its edges with the projections D12 to prevent lateral displacement of the blade while in transit to a heating plate, and also with two vertical perforations D41, D11, through which the stack plate pins C1, C1, pass when the arm D drops onto a stack of blades (Figs. 11, 12 and 13).

In order to release the blade the suction is Shut off from the face D35 when the blade is being placed upon a heating plate by the arm D. This is accomplished by the valve D11 which consists of a cylindrical piece haw ing the encircling groove D25, the heavy top piece Dt, the stem DA17 and .the flattened side D48. This valve is slidably mounted in a cylindrical chamber which extends vertically from the upper side, intersecting the passageway D38, to the under side of the arm D, in such a manner that when the valve is normally resting on its top piece D16, as shown in Figs. 11 and 14, the groove D15 is registered with the pasageway D38 and the suction can A-act freely. The valve is in this position at all times, excepting at the moment when the arm D is placing a blade on a heating plate. 1t is then forced up on the descent of the arm D. by the adjustable screw D4 mounted in the pedestal D21 and valve stem D47 (Fig. 15), and the groove D*5 thereby :carried above the passageway D32,

the main body of the valve closing the latter i VV"reachesthe' passageway D32 on the side of the valve towardtheblade, so that airmay rush in 1pm the outside 'and destroy all suction alowing the blade to drop off the 'face D35 readily. When thin, flat articles, for examplethe blades described, are piled in stacks, they tend to adhere together more or less, so that there is danger of lifting more than one at a time. rl`his difficulty may be and is overcome by slightly curving the face D21 in one plane, or forming it f slightly inclined intersecting planes as shown in Fig. 12.

' When the face D35 is so formed, the top blade of the stack is accordingly flexed against it and so released from the blade under it, since a curved surface does not tend to adhere to a flat surface. The arm D is provided with a laterally projecting guard lip D50 located near' the suction face D2'5 which serves to protect the blade from the direct act-ien of the flame when first placed upon a heating plate (Fig. 14). When the arm D drops to a heating plate its descent is limited by the stop pin D51adjustably mounted in the pedestal D24 (Figs. 14: and1 15),.but when, on the other hand, it drops upon a blade stack it simply comes to rest upon the top of the stack whether the ,stackf be high or low,"any excess (lf/movement of the levers D21 and D22/(Fig. 1) being taken up by the downward/sliding of the pull rods D12 and D1U through the sleeves D13 and D14 respectively.

My device as herein illustrated and described is provided with two separable heating plates, the under or receiving plate E and the upper or tossing plate F (Figs. 2 to 5). These plates E and F are made preferably of any metal or alloy capable of resist- .ing the action of a degree of heat su'icient for the process of steel hardening, such as platinum, nickel or some steel alloys. In the present case they are made, in plan, of a shape similar to the blades to be hardened, but a little larger so as to overlap the blades (Fig. 5) and either of them may be recessed (as indicated in Fig. 14) to a depth about equal to the thickness of and over an area slightly larger than the blade, so that the latter may be wholly inclosed and protected when between `the heating plates. i The plates are provided with the arms E1, E1, and F1, F1, respectively, which are attached one on each side of each plate and then bend so as to run longitudinally with the plate. These arms are preferably yintegral With their respective plates and serve to connect the latter with their moving mechanisms. They join the plates at the sides, as shown, in order that both ends of a plate shall be equally heated. The plate F can best be -seen in enlarged plan Fig. 5, the similar plate E underneath'it being hidden in this view, the side elevations of both `plates being shown separated in Fig. 4.

-pivot shaft G' by two devices.

The heating plates E and F are connect# ed by their arms E1 and F1 to the pivoted levers E2 and F2, respectively, both of the latter being adapted to swing on and over the same pivot shaft G and thusreverse their ytop and bottom positions. The 'lever E2 has asingle bearing on the central part of the pivot shaft G, while the lever F2 is bifurcated and has two bearings on the shaft G, one on each side of the lever E2 (Figs. 3 and 5). The shaft G is preferably tubular for the passage of a cooling fluid, and is rigidly supported at G1 and G2 by the posts G3 and G4, which have a base G in common, the latter being bolted to the top plate A1 (Figs. 1 to 5).

rlhe lever E2, by which the heating plate E is supported is given motion around the In'the direction of the heating position, shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, motion is imparted by the cam E3 Von the power shaft B (Fig. 2) acting upon the lever E4, pivoted at E5, by means of the roller E, the outer end of the said lever E'1 being connected with the4 plate carrying lever E2 by the chain ET (Fig. 5),

which 1s integral with the said lever E2 Inotionis given tothe lever E2 in the reverse di` rection by the weight E9 and chain E10, one

end of the latter being attached to the under side of the top plate A1 and the other end to the pulley E11, also integral with the lever f E2, but wound upon it reversely to the chain E1, on the pulley E8, the said weight E9 deaending by means of the pulley E12 from the loop of the chain E10 as shown (Figs. 1 to 5). The cam E3 is shaped to move the arm E2 as required and hereinafter noted, and the weight E9 is always tending to move it in the reverse direction.

The heating plate F, through its lever F2, is operated in a way similar to that used with the plate E, excepting that the direction of the movements given by the cam and weight are vreversed from what they are in the case of the plate E, that is to say, the weight tends toward the heating position, and'the cammovement toward thel inverted position. The operating parts connected `with the lever F2 of the heating plate F are into `proper alinement with their respective weights E9 and F1 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4).

r.lhe Yheating*plate*E'is provided with two vprojectsfdownward when the plate F is in the heating position', and upward when it is inthe reverse or tossing position, and, by passing through a central hole in the blade, Serves to keep ythe blade in Vplace on the plate until it is tossed odLIThe heating plates each have recesses to. receive the pins of the other plate whenthey shut together on a blade. As it is difficult to quickly separate the thin flat Vblades from an unbroken flat surface, the heating plates E and F are preferably perforated with numerous small air holes as shown in the plate F (Fig. 5). These perforations admit air for releasing the bla-de quickly from the heating plates and cause no material detriment by the admission of hot gases orflame during heating. Corrugating the surfaces of the plates throughout is effective, but the perforations are preferred 'as there is less interruption of the heating-surfaces of the plates. By having a pair of separable heating-.plates the steel is protected against undue curling by the laction of the lire and may be kept very1 nearly to its normal llatness. lt is not, however, indispensable for all practical purposes that the steel should be kept entirely from contact with the lire and anv form of heating plate or plates which will serve the purpose mav be employed.

The devices for heating consist of the gas burners H and H1 and the preliminary burner H2 (Figs. 1 to 5 and 11 and 14). These burners consist, substantially, of gas chambers into which a Suitable mixture of gas and air is brought by pipes, the chambers having numerous small apertures 0r eXits opening from them in the direction in which it is desired to have the llame extend, Fig. 14. The burners H,H1 and H2 are supported by their supply pipes H3, Hi and H5, respectively, in such a manner as to be slightly adjustable as to position, the said pipes being held by collars H", H7 and HS which are fastened tothe top plate A1 in such a way as to be Amovable to a limited extent laterally, and to allow the pipes to be moved up or down, or turned as desired..

The burner H is located directly under the receiving plate E, andhaving its apertures on the top side the flame impinges on the under si de of said heating plate (Figs. 5 and 14). rlhe burner H1 is so placed, and its apertures so arranged, that the llame is 'f directed in an inclined position downward ,upon the heating plates (Fig. 14), the

burner H1 itself being kepttout of the path of the heating plates E and F as they swing upward and over on -their pivoted levers E? and F2. y

T he preliminary heating burner H2 is provided with a heating plate H9 supported above the burner by the rods H1", H10 (Figs.

y 4,5 andy 11). This plate H is used to warm up the blade while being carried by the suction arm D from the stack Aplate to the re'- ceiving plate F1. The cams operating the carrying arm D are so fashioned that the arm pauses a short time over thepreliminary heatmg plate H .in order to warm up the blade, and so reduce the time and heat which would otherwise be ,necessary while it is between the heating plates E and F. The plate H is to prevent the llame of the burner 'H2 from impinging directly upon andzinjuring the thin blade, the latter being warmed by radiation from the hot plate. A

lire backH11 made of tiles, lirebrick, or, other suitable material is mounted on the top of the machine in such relation to the heating-plates E and F when in heating position, and to the burners H and H1 as to reflect and intensify the-heat and prevent the llame from extending to or injuring other parts.

The preferred device for chilling, compacting and flattening the blades after they have been heated by the heating plates E and F, consists of two thick plates of steel or other suitable material, l and J (Figs. 1, 4 and 6), the former being rigidlyl secured to the main frame A, as shown in Fig. 6, and the latter firmly bolted to the massive pivcted arm J1 which swings upon the strong pivot pin J 2, supported by the arms J3, J3 projecting from the main frame A. These plates 1 and J, will be termed cold-clamps. The pivoted arm J1, which carries the cold clamp plate J, is so balanced upon the pivot pin J 2 that its clamp tends to descend, but is supported by the elbow lever arm J 4 which engages with it b y means of the roller J 5 located at its outer end. The lever J t is pivoted or fulcrumed on the pin J 6 which is supported by the bracket J 7, the latter being bolted to the main frame as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The inner end of the lever J is connected with a heavy adjustable weight J8 which by proper connections is made to4 slide vertically in the frame A. This weight" connects with `the arm by a strap J, one end ot which is fastened to the main frame at J1", and which, after passing under the pulley J, mounted on the weight, is attached to the arm J1 by means of the shackle J12 and pin J1". The strap J is deflected into alinement by the idler pulley J14 mounted on the main frame A, as shown (Figs. 1, Q, 4 and this can 'only happen at intervals, on account of the cam J1's mounted on the main instant of chilling.

power shaft B, which engages theinner end of the arm J'1 by, means of a cam rib J1 projecting laterally from'the side of the cam and extending 'in a semi-circle about half way round it. rl.`he end J17 of the cam rib lifts the inner end 'of the arm J4 when vit has been depressed, by the weight J 11 thereby ,lowering the roller J1 at the other end of the arm, allowing the cold clamps to open as shown in Fig. 6. As the cam turns, the lever arm J1 is supported by the cam rib J10 against the action of the weight J 8 until the arm drops ofi the end J18 of the rib, at which time the said weight, acting freely through the lever arm J 1 and its roller J 5 closes the cold clamps with great force, compacting and flattening the hot steel in the The4 chilling action takes place when the cold-clamps are closed uprn the hot steel, which after chilling is released when the end J17 of the cam rib J1o lifts the inner end of the lever arm J 1 as before stated. y

The cold clamp 'plates I andJ are kept cool by running a stream of water through passageways inthemnor by other suitable means. The water as shown comes in the uexible Itube I1 which isconnected by a suitable nipple with a passageway in the plate I, after traversing which it is conducted by the fiexible tube I2 to a passageway in the plate J, on emerging from which the tube Gr6 delivers it to the tubular pivot shaft Gr,4 and after it has run through the latter it is carried away by `the tube G1.

The scale, which strikes or becomes detached from the blades more or less as they are being chilled by the cold clamps, is blown ofi'the clamps as well as adhering blades, by an 'air blast delivered across the plate J by the blast pipe K, which is inserted in the clamp arm J1, as shown in Fig. 6, and is connected by the flexible tube K1 with the valve K2, said valve being raisedl and opened at the proper time by the cam K1 on the shaft B acting through the roller K1 jlmlfglock shaftrK*YV mounted '61T e arm B2, and lever K1.. Air( under pressure is supplied to the valve K2 through the tube K8 (Fig. 6). When blades or steel drop from the opened cold clamp J, as shown in Fig. 6, they arecaught i'n a receiver L from which thev are conducted by a spout L1 into a receptacle L2 supported by `ambracketl.boltgd tothe main frame A (Figs.- 1, 2 and 3).'I` 4 Mounted upon the to of the main `frame A, by means of the brac ret J19 is the pivoted detent arm J2, having the shoulder J21,

adapted to engage with the rear end ofthe cold clamp arm J1 and 'prevent the clamp from closing-when'the cam J15 releases the yblade between the cold clamps.

ieve arm J4. This is 'desirable sometimes, as when adjusting parts of the general device. In Fig. 1 the detent is shown operative by the dotted lines, and inoperative by the full lines. For similar reasons the rod D1, on which the suction carrying arm D is mounted, is provided with a stirrup-like yoke D embracing the end of the fiXed arm D1 to which it is pivoted (Figs. 1 and 2),

and normally hangs against the rod D1.'

When, however, it is desired to throw the arm D out of commission without stopping the general device, it is only necessary to lift the rod D1 by the hand a little higher than its normal travel, and the yoke D112 will swing under the end of the rod and by supporting it, prevent the action of its moving cams upon it, the pull rods D15 and D1a simply sliding up and down through their respective sleeves D13 and D11. The diagrams, Figs. 16 to 20, show the principal elements of my device in various progressive positions. Fig. 16 shows the arm D on the stack plate, the heating plates in the heating position and the cold clamps open. ,Fig 17 shows the arm D over the preliminary heating burner, the heating lates swung over and ready to separate.

ig. 18 sliows the heating plate F tossing a Fig. 19 shows the cold clamps shut on a blade and the arm D placing a blade on the returned heating plate E. Fig. 2O shows a blade dropping from the just opened cold clamps, with the next blade heating between the plates E and F, and the arm D again on the stack plate.

The general mode of operation of my device is as follows: Starting with the suction carrying arm D, resting upon a stack of blades on the stack plateC, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5, and in the diagram Fig.

16, a blade will be heating between the plates E and F, which are shut together and in the heating position, and the cold clamps I and J will be separated and ready to re- `ceive a hot blade to chill and compact; the

theV preliminarv heating burner H2 and hot f plate H9, the blade meantime warming gip (see Fig. 4). While the arm D is pausing over the hot plate H9, the heating plates E and F operate for the deliverv of the heated blade. The plate F, impell'ed by its cam F3 and connecting parts swings up and over and is closely followed bv the heating plate- E impelled bv itsweight E, `the hot blade being carried between them. The plate E 'follows the plate F until they have swung e arms are inverted when they separate, goes lit on with the heating plate F to its extreme position shown by tull lines in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 also shows the heating plate E in the po'sition in which it` pauses to separate from the plate F, just before returning to the heating position. When the plate F reaches itsextreme position shown by full lines in Fig. 4 the roller FG on the lever F4 drops `Suddenly into a notch (not shown) in theram F3, which allows the weight F2 -to-giverthe heating plate F, upon w-hich the het blade'is lving, a quick jerk upward to the: position `clampplate I from the blast pipe K, to re- I.-,lrioyadirt, scale or an adhering blade, and

movement cycle Ais complete.

l. While li' have described'my invention as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, where it is abruptly checked by the cam action; This sudden short swing and suddenlvcheckin-g. of

i the plate Ftosses the hot blade uponit in an upward and outward direction ybetween the opened cold clamp plates l andJ. The position of the blade or steel at this moment is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4. the plate F tosses the blade as aforesaid. the end of the arm J* drops ofi' the end J1T of the rib J16 of the cam J, and allows the weight J2 to quickly and forcibly close the cold clamp plates. thus catching the blade between them. where'it is compressed and chilled. Bv referring to the diagram, Fig. 19. it will be seen that when the arm J4 closes the cold clamps. it comes into a position under the arm J1, in which it stands from its pivot at about a right angle to the@ engaging surface of the arm J1, with which it engages bv means of its roller J5. This position of the arm J4 causes great pressure and a locking el'ect whereby rebounding of the cold clamp plate J is practically impossible, while the plates are forced together on a blade. llVhile the heating plate F is tossing the blade into the cold clamps. the plate F. returns bv the action of its cam to the heating position. and the carrying arm D moves in a descending curve to a position over it, said movement being caused by a descent of the lever D22. and the said arm after engaging with the guide post D31 drops down upon the heating plate E by the lowering of the lever D21 and deposits its partlv heated blade thereon, the latter being released from the arm by the action of the valve D44. as before described. After these movements the carrying arm D rises again bv the ascent of the lever D21, and then swings to the intermediate positionby the vrising' of the lever D22; next swingsoier and downward to the guide post D22 bv the lowering` of the lever D21, and finallv drops onto a blade stack by the descent of the lever D22. While the carry- -ing arm D was away from the stack plate,

however, the latter has rotated enough in i the manner hereinbefore described to bring the next stack of blades into position for the arm to rest upon it. As soon as the carrying arm D has moved away from the heating plate E, the plate F, after tossing the blade, is swung back to the heating position by its weight F2, and closes down over the blade which the arm D. hadpjust placed upon the plate E.- The end J1." of the ribVJ1,0 of the cam J15 now lifts the innel?. ndgof the elbow-lever arm J 4 and allows the; ooldsclamp plate J to drop and the chilled blade to slide off into the receiver 4L, whence it-is conducted to the receptacle 1L2 byf-,the spout L1.

v As the cold clamp pilates separate the cam K2 opens'the valve zzilnd agblast of air is blown across the operating upon razor-blades, I desire to haveit understood that I claim it or certain ffeatures thereof, when applied for use on any other article that it is or can be adapted .tohhandle with advantage, what ll claim upon the metal and means for transferring the metal from the stack to the means for holding the same during action.

2. ln a machine for acting upon thin metal, the combination of arotarv stack plate for holding .and supplying different stacks of metal to be acted upon. means for rotating said stack plate, means for holding the metal while being acted upon. means `for acting and producing a desired effect upon the metaLa carrying arm for convey ing the metal from said stack plate to the -ineans for holding the same during action and means. for operating said carrying arm to and from the metal on the stack plate.

3. In aV machine for heating steel the combination of a stack-plate for the supply of steel to be heated. a heating plate adapted to receive the steel and hold the same while being heated. a. lifting and carrying-arm adapted to take the steellfrom 'said stackplate and transfer it to said heating-plate, and means for operating said Carryingarm.

4. ln a machine for heating steel, the combination of a stack-plate for the supply of steel to be heated, means for supporting the steel while heating, means for transferring the steel from the stack-plate to said supporting means. and means fer warming the steel after leaving the stack-plate and prior to its placement on said supporting means.

say

m einsame "-352 In "a machine 'for `l1`e'atng-"steel, the 441V'combination'of means for holding' a supply of steel, `means for handling and' placin the saine, means for warmingithe steel while 1A 5""in transit, and means for holding and heatingthe steel after placement.

Ina'machine for heatingsteel, 'the `j?"combination of a rotary stack-plate for 'holding stacks of steel,'means 'for impart- `wing intermittent rotary motion to said stack- -plate,'means for taking the steel therefrom `and placing the` same, andfmeansfor heating the steel after placement.

7. In a machine for heatingf'steelthe .115`fcombinationwof 'a -rotary stack-plate for I `holding stacks of steel, means for retaining 'each stack on said stack-plate, means for taking the steel 'from a determined position -of the stack-plate and placing the same, a

.x heating 4plate for receiving the steel transferred from saidstack-plate, and means for vheating the steel.

' A-8. In a machine for heating"steel,'the lcombination of a rotary stack-plate for v.--fyliolding a supply of steel, means for imparting intermittent motion to sai-d stackplate, means for heating the steel, a cai-ry- `in'g-arm'for' transferring t-hev steel to the heating means, and means 'for imparting .i3d-'vertically reciprocating'hnd partially ro- -tating movements tosaid 'carrying-arm, the

- movements thereof and 'those of the stack- ."plate being 'timedwth respect to each other.

'9. Ina machine for heating steel, the

' `f a5"combinatio`n' of 'a frotary stack-plate for y 'holding a supply of's'teel, means for imparting intermittent'motion to said stack-plate, *separable heating plates, means for impartin'gv intermittent opening, closing, and inioivertin'g motions to'said "heating-plates, -a

carrying-arm for vtransferring .the steel Lto "'sad heating-plates, )and means .for imparting intermittent vertically "reciprocating 'and partially rotating 'movements"`to said carrying-arm, v'the' m'oti'ons of `the stackplates, heating-plates and 'carrying-'arm being-timed with respect to each other.

10. VIn a machineffor heating steel, the combination of means for transferring the Sisteel1iro'm a source of lsupply'a'nd placing the same in p'osition'for heating, a pair of heating-plates adapted to completely 'inclose -the steel when placed and hold the same during heating, and operating mechanism.

55 11. In a machine for heating steel, the

combination of a carrying-arm for transferring the steel from a source of supply land for placing the same in hea-ting, means for imparting intermittent vertically reciprocating and partially rotating movements to said' carrying-arm, -a pair of heating plates adapted to inclose thesteel when placed and hold the same during heating, and means 'for' operating saidheating plates.

osition for v12. In a machine 'for heating steel. the

combination o f a' carrying-arm having va g 'suctional terminal for taking steel from a source of supply, means for causing suction,

means for impartingmotion 'to said carrying-arm whereby the' steel is brought to "position for heating, means for releasing the steel from the suction,"'an`d `means for heating the steel.

13. In a' machine for heating steel, the combination of means forwarming the steel, means for fgrtherrhe/ating the te'el, a car- /rying-arm/for taking the steel f om a source of supply, holding the saine whi'le being warmed, and delivering it .to the'means for finalheating, and connections whereby said carrying-arm may be intermittently4V operated to and from lthe source of supply and the Warming and heating means.

14. In a machine for heating steel, the

combination of a'carryingarm for transferring the steel Ifrom a source of supply and placing they same in position for heat- 'combination of aca'rrying-arm, means for imparting-to and fro motion thereto, a stackpla'te for holding asupply of steel to be heated, a heating plate for receiving the steel, means for guiding the carrying-arm to a supply of steel on said stack-plate, and

`means for guiding said arin to the plate for receiving and heating it.

16. In a machine for heating steel, the

combination 'of a carrying-arm having a suctional terminal With a slightly curvedor inclined face, a stack-plate for holding pieces of thin steel to be heated, means for imparting motion to said carrying-arm, means for eating the steel, and means for causing suction and for relieving it.

17. Ina' machine for heating steel, the

combinati-on of 'a carrying-arm adapted to lift'I and' place 'pieces of steel in 'positionfor heating, means for operating said carrying- `arm,'means for heating the steel, the carrying-arm being provided with a guard-lip for protecting the steel from the direct action of the flame when first placed in position for heating.

18. In a machine for heating steel, the combination of separable heating-plates one of which is adapted to receive and the other to toss the steel, means for operating said plates and means-for heating the steel.

19. In a machine for heating .steel. the combination of separable heating-plates havingtheir contact surfaces adapted for 'the-admission of air when the steel is heated soy insana and the plates separated, said surfaces be-l ing shaped to conform closely tothe'consteel, la pair of separable heating-plates one" lof which is adapted to receive and the other to toss the steel, means for operating the heating-plates, means for handling, Warining, and placing heating the steel.

AZilli 21. In a machine for heating steel, the

combination of a. plate vfor warming the steel, a pair of separable heating plates having their contact surfaces adapted for the admission of airafter the steel is heated, means for handling, warming, and placing the steel, and means for heating the steel.

22. In a machine for heating steel, the combination of separable heating-plates one of which is adapted to receive and the other to toss the steel, a shaft, arms and levers for guiding said plates in a swinging motion over said shaft, and connections for operating said plates in reverse directions in opening and closing them, and means for heating the steel. j

23. In a machine for heating steel, the combination of separable heating-plates formed to provide conjointly a closed 'recess adapted to surround and protect the steel during heating, means for opening and closing said plates, automatic means for placing the steel between said plates-While open and means for heating the steel.

24. ln a machine for heating perforate steel, the combination of separable heatinglates having means for locating the steel iiy the perforations therein, means for opening and closing said plates, means for placing the steel between said plates While open, and means for heating the plates and the 1nclosed steel.

25. ln a machine for heating perforate steel, the combination of a stack-plate having pins for passing through the perforations in the steel'stacked thereon, a heatingplate having means for locating the steel by the pei-iterations therein, means forjtranseri'ii'ig tliesteel from the stack-plate. to the heating-plate, and means for heating the steel.

26. ln a machine for hardening steel by heating rand chilling, the combination of separable heating-plates for holding the steel, means for operating said plates, means for feeding the steel to said heating-plates, means for heating the steel, means for chilling the hot steel, and means for tossing the hot steel from` said heating-plates to the means for chilling.

27. ln a machine heating and chilling, the combination of th'e steel, and means for*` for hardening steel byA means for heating the steel, coldclamps for chilling the hot steel, means for holding the steel while being heated, and means for automatically transerring the hot steel to 1 said cold-clamps.

28. lln a machine for'hardenng steel by heating and chilling, the lcombination of separable heating-plates for holding the steel, means `for 4 heating the steel, 'coldclamps for chilling the steel, and means for inverting said heating-plates, thereby transferring the hot steel to said cold-clamps.

y 29. In a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combination of means for heating the steel, a pair of coldcla-mps for chilling` the steel, operatingmeans for causing-said cold-clamps to exert pressure on the steel while therein, means for automaticallyl transferring the hot steel to said cold-clamps, and means for releasing the chilled steel from said clamps.

30. In a machine for hardening steel by -v heating and chilling, the combination of means for handling and placing the steel, means for heating the steel, a pair of coldclamps for chilling the steel, operatingmeans for causing said cold-clamps to exert pressure lon thesteel While therein, means for transferring automatically the hot steel to said cold-clam s, and means for releasing the ,chilled steel rom said clamps.

31. lin a machine Jfor hardening steel by heatinfr and chilling, the combination of separable heating-plates for holding the lsteel said plates being perforated for the -admission of air after the steel is heated,

cold-clamps for chilling the hot steel, and means fortossing the 'hot steel from said vheating-plates to said cold-clamps.

32. In a machine for hardening steel by heatinr and chilling, the ,combination of separable heating-plates for holding the steel, said plates being shaped to inelose and conform closely to the contour of said steel and being perforated for the admission of air after the steelis heated, means for handling and placing the steel, means for heating the steel, and means for lchilling the steel.

33. In a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combination of separable heating-plates for holding the steel, said plates being shaped to inclose and conform closely to the contour of said steel and having the continuity of their contact surfaces interrupted for the admission of air after the steel is heated, means for handling and placing the steel, means for heating the steel, and means for chilling the steel.

34. ln a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combination of means `for holding the steel, means for heating the steel, clamps for receiving and chilli ing the hot steel, means for cooling said 1o 0 Y said movable clamp.

stationary and hthe other movable, means for operating the movable clamp, and means for automatically transferring the hot steel to 36. In a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combination of a Y stack-plate adapted to receive a pile of superimposed pieces of steel,- a heatingpla'te for receiving the steel, aliftmg and carrying-arm for transferring the steel from the stack-'plate to the heating-plate, means for vchilling the steel, and means for 'causing transit of the steel from. the heating-plate to the chilling means.

37. In a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combinationof a stack-plate for the supply of steel, means for supporting the steel while heating,.means fortransferring the steel to 'said supporting means, means for warming the steel prior to its placement on'said meansfor heating the steel, cold-clamps for chilling the hot steel, and means for transferrino the hot steel to said cold-clamps.

38.`n` a machine for hardening steelby heating and chilling, the combination of a Stack-plate for holding the supply of steel to be heated, separable heating-plates for holding the steel during heating, means for heating the steel, cold-clamps for chillin y the steel, means for transferring the stee from the stack-plate to the heating-plates and means for tossing the hot steel from the heating-plates to the cold-clamps.

having means for 39. In a machine for hardening steel by heating and chilling, the combination of a rotary .stack-plate for holding stacks of steel, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said stack-plate, means for heating the steel, means for transferring the steel from said stack-plate to the heating means, cold-clamps for chilling the hot steel, means for transferring the hot steel to said cold-clamps, and means for causing said clamps to exert pressure on the hot steel therein. l

40. In a machine for-hardening perforate steel b heating and chilling, the combination o a Vrotary stack-plate iaving pins for holding the steel, separable heating-plates locating the steel by the perforations therein, means for taliing the steel from said stack plate and transferring the same to said'heating-plates, means for chilling the steel, and means for transferring the hot steel from said 'heating-plates to the chilling means.

v41. In a machine for hardening steel by arm suddenly,

supporting means,

clamps having continuous meta insana heating and chilling, the combination of means for heating the steel, cold-clamps for chilling the hot steel, one of said clamps being stationary and the other movable, means for transferring the hot steel to said movable clamp, a lever-arm having a roller adapted to exert pressure on said movable clamp and means for operating said leverthe same time rebounding is prevented. 4,2. In a machine for acting on metal, the combination of means for acting and producing a desired effect on the' metal, a carrying-arm for transferring the metal from a supply to the means for acting thereon, a rod to which said carrying-armis secured, means for guiding said rod vertically, a hub to.which the lower part of said rod is rigidly secured, and connections with said hub whereb said rod is supported and moved vertica ly and said carrying-arm turned to and from the supply to the means for acting on the metal.

43. In a machine for acting on metal, the combination of a carrying-arm for supplying the. metal to be acted upon, an operating rod to which theupper end of said carryingarm is rigidly secured, means for guiding Said rod, a hub having oppositely projecting arms, trunnions journaled in said arms, sleeves connected withsaid trunnions, pullrods passing through said sleeves, clamps on said rods for limiting their pulling movement respectivel levers to which one end of said pull-rods are attached, andV cams adapted to raise and lower said levers independently of each other whereby back-and forth and turnin movements may be imparted yto said ro and said carrying-arm.

p In a machine for hardening metal by heating and chilling, the combination of a pair of separable plates ladapted to receive the metal .between them, means for opening l conforming to the contour of the article to be hardened and adapted to receive the latter between them, and means for closing said clamps with a forcible blow upon the heated metal.

46. In a machine for hardening metal, the combination of a pair of op )osed coldllic surfaces and for bringing the .same to la, position whereby the hot steel lscompressed between the'two clamps whlle at IOO 

